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College is a critical stage in anyone’s life journey. Beyond simply getting accepted, students need the proper resources and professionals to help them thrive through college and beyond. Be a part of helping college students succeed.

¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ’s master’s in higher education is designed to prepare graduates to serve in a variety of roles in which they’ll help students from traditional, nontraditional, and special populations succeed at any two- or four-year college or university. Our fully online asynchronous program is offered to students throughout the state of California and approved states in the U.S.

Choose the track for your career goals

We offer two tracks: Master of Arts (M.A.) or Master of Science (M.S.) in Higher Education. Both programs consist of the same number of units, however, they differ in the trajectory they prepare you for, as well as completion time. The M.A. program is designed for those who want to continue working with students in higher education. Those in the M.A. program do not have to complete a thesis, but they do need to complete a research project. The M.S. program is designed for those seeking to pursue a doctoral degree. This track does require a thesis.  

Two compelling concentrations

¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ now offers two concentrations for the master’s in higher education program. Discover which is right for you:

College Counseling and Advising:

Ideal for those who want to work at community colleges, four-year colleges, and nonprofit organizations. This concentration involves fieldwork focused on counseling and advising techniques, community interventions, and student-centered support services. 

You’ll be prepared to work in career opportunities such as:

• Adjunct counselor
• Student success advisor
• Academic success coach
• Academic advisor
• And other student support roles

Student Affairs:

Perfect for those interested in working at four-year universities, nonprofit organizations, or college ministries. This concentration involves fieldwork focused on various student affairs department roles, co-curricular program reviews, and student retention and support. 

You’ll be prepared to work in career opportunities such as:

• Resident director
• First year experience
• Student conduct
• Student activities & programs
• Student clubs & organizations
• And other student development roles

Gain classroom experience as you learn

Completion time for this program varies. Students take between 16–22 months.

The master’s in higher education program at ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ is fully online asynchronous and consists of 36 semester units of coursework, including 335 hours of required fieldwork in a higher education context. Fieldwork is tiered with some initial requirements completed through assignments, observations, informational interviews, workshops, or conferences leading to a field placement when 250 hours are completed over two semesters (125 hours per semester).

Some courses require hours aligned with an assignment and may be completed at the same time as fieldwork. Master’s in higher education students will also have access to departments and individuals who may help complete these course requirements, and students will complete a thesis project based on their specific research interests. ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ Graduate and Professional Services and the master’s in higher education program provide ongoing support for students in the way of faculty advising, fieldwork placement, writing, career services, and thesis coaching.

Lasting network of support

¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ’s Education Associates alumni network keeps you connected long after graduation. Faculty members have a reputation for staying in touch and continuing to mentor students. Career counseling and additional professional development opportunities are always available to you.

Professional preparedness

Courses are aligned with industry standards that prepare graduate students to enter a career in higher education or leverage for the next step in their current position. Graduates apply relevant knowledge and research that can be used to design, implement, or manage programs to support the success of college students.

Accreditation: WSCUC

Pursue your purpose

Discover a deeper understanding of your purpose as it relates to serving the overall well-being of college student success.

Upon completion of ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ's master’s in higher education, graduates will be able to/demonstrate:

1. A proficient understanding of the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed for various roles in higher education contexts.
2. Identify leadership theories, skills, and competencies required to effectively manage and lead in higher education.
3. Application of research-based academic advising/counseling when assisting college students to persist, engage, and thrive.
4. Utilize cultural literacy, humility, and flexibility in anti-racism practices in education planning, career goals, advising, personal development, and postsecondary transitions.
5. Understand how to engage in meaningful discussions and actions that contribute to the promotion of anti-racism, diversity, equity, and inclusion on a college campus.
6. Demonstrate critical thinking in understanding historical, political, and societal factors that have influenced higher education as an embedded part of United States society, including current trends in innovation and globalization.
7. Design college student programming, implementation, and assessment of the needs of diverse and identity-based populations at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and in various higher education contexts (e.g., community colleges and four-year IHEs).
8. Support students in utilizing successful learning practices in their program or course modality; remote, online, hybrid, or in-person formats.
9. Utilize data and research to inform decision-making in planning to address contemporary issues in higher education (e.g., anti-racism, crisis management, mental health, risk assessment, substance abuse education, violence prevention, health and wellness practices, and spiritual/faith identity development, career readiness, and much more).
10. Understand how to research, analyze, and apply ethical and legal standards in student affairs.
11. Understand how to apply student development theories in leadership and management roles related to the support of emerging adults.

Professional Licensure or Certification

This program is approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College & University Commission (WSCUC), where ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ is physically located. Credential programs such as the PPS and teaching credentials within ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ’s School of Education are approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Information about out-of-state requirements in teacher credentialing is available on .

Are you ready to take the next step and apply?

We're here to make the entire process a simple one. We'll walk you through the application process, answer your questions, and get you one step closer to earning your degree.

Program Start Date(s):

• Spring 2025 Quad II — March 17, 2025
• Summer 2025 Quad I — May 12, 2025
• Summer 2025 Quad II — July 7, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad I — September 2, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad II — October 27, 2025

Application Deadline(s):

• Spring 2025 Quad II — February 28, 2025
• Summer 2025 Quad I — April 25, 2025
• Summer 2025 Quad II — June 20, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad I — August 15, 2025
• Fall 2025 Quad II — October 10, 2025

The Selection Process

The educational context at ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ will challenge you to live a full life that integrates the pursuit of knowledge with beliefs, values, and actions. While honoring diverse perspectives and beliefs, Christian values and principles are woven into the educational experience. We understand your application is not only a reflection of you as a student; it reflects you as a person. At ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ, we holistically evaluate your academic history, work and life experience, background, and circumstances to determine admission into a graduate program. Your undergraduate GPA is an important piece of your application, but if you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement of a 3.0, you may still be eligible for admission based on your application package as well as the exceptions policy per your particular program.* Therefore, we strongly encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor, who will advise you regarding your qualifications and provide specific information about the admission under the exceptions process.

To be admitted into ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ's master’s in higher education program, you must have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution, as evidenced by an official transcript.

If you have any questions about your qualifications or the program in general, we encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor.

Application Checklist

Note: The application is completed entirely online with the exception of transcripts, which can be submitted electronically or directly to ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ, and test scores, which should be submitted electronically.

1. Submit an online application for admissions (including $50 non-refundable application fee, which is waived for ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ alumni, current or former military and their dependents, and ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ employees).
2. Submit official transcripts with proof of earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution.* (If you are a ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ alumnus, please notify your counselor to have your transcripts retrieved. You do not need to request transcripts from the ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ Office of Records.)
   
   Official transcripts must be sent to:
   ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ
   Office of Graduate Admissions
   3900 Lomaland Dr.
   San Diego, CA 92106
   
   Official electronic transcripts must be emailed to:
   gradprocessing@pointloma.edu
   
   *Please note, official transcripts must be sent directly from the regionally accredited institution.
3. Submit a personal essay, two-three pages in length and double-spaced.
4. Once you have submitted your admissions application, your two selected professional recommenders will automatically be sent the auto-generated document to complete on your behalf. If you'd like to include a written letter in addition to this required document, you may do so, but it's unnecessary.

Admissions Interview: You may be eligible for an interview waiver. Eligibility can be discussed in more depth with a ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ admissions counselor once you've started your application. 

If you have any questions about your qualifications or the program in general, we encourage you to contact your enrollment counselor.

*Exceptions Policy: If you have below a 3.0 GPA in your baccalaureate degree, you will need to speak with your enrollment counselor for more information on the exceptions materials needed for your particular program.

State Authorization

In certain states outside California, ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ is not authorized to enroll students in online courses and/or offer internships. If a student moves to another state after admission to a program or enrollment in an online course, continuation in the program/course will depend on whether ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ is authorized within that state. Please refer to the State Authorization map to view which states allow online courses and/or internships.

Specific career opportunities are generally within student affairs or related areas such as: counseling within a community college context, advising, career services, disability services, residential life, enrollment counselors, and other student support services related to the growth, development, and success of college students (traditional and nontraditional). 

This program’s concentrations in College Counseling and Advising and Student affairs allow you to take the path you’re most passionate about. Those who are interested in being a college counselor, student success advisor, or academic advisor should choose the College Counseling concentration. The Student Affairs concentration is perfect for those interested in more personally investing in students’ lives as a resident director, student activities, clubs or organizations coordinator, and other student development roles. 

Individuals seeking the M.A. in Higher Education desire entry-level positions in higher education or are current professionals in higher education who desire to deepen their knowledge of student development theory and practice in order to expand their career opportunities. Those seeking the M.S. in Higher Education are pursuing a doctoral degree, which is required for certain levels of higher education leadership positions.

For information about the courses required for the master’s in higher education program, view the ¹ú²ú͵ÅÄ catalog.